Hydraulic actuating mechanism for garage doors



R. C. SALVO May 16, 1967 HYDRAULIC ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR GARAGE DOORS Filed April 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ||l|||l HT; g a

INVENTOR. RAYMOND C. SALVo m mh l ATTO NEVS R. C. 5ALVO May 16, 1967 HYDRAULIC ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR GARAGE DOORS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 2, 1964 INVENTOR. RAYMOND C. SAL v0 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,319,303 RAULIC ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR GARAGE DOORS Raymond C. Salvo, 715 Adams St., Albany, Calif. 94706 Filed Apr. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 356,739 15 Claims. (Cl. 49-199) This invention relates to devices for automatically opening and closing garage doors and the like, and is particularly directed to a hydraulic actuating mechanism of this type which is characterized by its compactness and simplicity of construction.

Various devices have been advanced in the past which are arranged to automatically open and close a garage door in response to the turning of a key, propagation of radio waves transmitted from a car, or the like. However, these devices have heretofore been generally quite complex and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable, yet simple and inexpensive actuating mechanism for automatically opening and closing a garage door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door opening and closing mechanism which is of the hydraulic type and which utilizes water under pressure from a household water line as the working fluid, thereby eliminating any requirement for auxiliary pumps or the like.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a garage door actuating mechanism of the class described which is so arranged that it automatically resets itself for the accomplishment of a closing operation at the termination of an opening operation, and vice versa. In other words, there is no selection of control required, the mechanism, upon actuation, automatically carrying out the reverse function from the position of the door, i.e., opening the door if it is closed and closing the door if it is open.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a door actuating mechanism of the class described having an inherent safety mechanism which prevents the door from further closing upon and crushing an object encountered by the closing door.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the actuating mechanism as installed in a garage, the garage door being closed and the mechanism set in ready condition to open the door.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, the mechanism being illustrated in the same condition as FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but illustrating the mechanism in open door position and in ready condition to close the door.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1, but with the mechanism in the position shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation with portion-s broken away of a modified form of the door actuating mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevation view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the modified mechanism of FIGURE 5.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there will be seen to be provided a hydraulic actuating mechanism 11 which is arranged to automatically open and close a garage door as generally indicated at 12. The mechanism 11 is "ice mounted upon the garage ceiling 13 as by means of brackets 14, and includes a hydraulic cylinder 16 with a piston rod 17 extending therefrom. The end of the piston rod is secured to the upper end of the door 12 which is of the conventional centrally laterally pivoted variety. Thus as the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder 16 (Le, moved to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1) the door is pivoted clockwise to open position. Conversely as the piston rod is extended from the cylinder (moved to the left) the door is pivoted counter-clockwise to closed position. Movement of the piston rod is effected in the conventional manner by the controlled admission and exhaust of pressurized fluid to and from ports 18, 19 at the opposite ends of cylinder 16. Pressurized fluid is introduced to port 18 while fluid is exhausted from port 19 to retract the piston rod 17. The pressurized fluid in this case acts on the piston (not shown) associated with the rod in a direction to effect retractive movement of the piston within the cylinder. Similarly, pressurized fluid is introduced to port 19 while fluid is exhausted from port 18 to effect movement of the piston in the rod extending direction.

In accordance with the present invention, pressurized water from a household water line is utilized as the working fluid of the cylinder 16. Moreover, controlled flow of water from the line to the cylinder ports 18, 19 and from the cylinder ports to the household sewer line is effected by means of a four-way valve 21 of unique design. This valve is so arranged that in response to each actuation thereof the controlled flow of water to the cylinder ports is such as to move the piston rod in a direction to actuate the door to its opposite position. When the door is open, the valve effects extension of the rod to thereby close the door. When the door is closed, the valve effects retraction of the rod to thereby open the door. To facilitate the foregoing, it is to be noted that the valve 21 includes a body 22 which is formed with five chambers. More particularly, one end of the body is transversely partitioned to provide an inlet chamber 23 and an intermediate chamber 24 in longitudinal communication through a port 26. The central portion of the body is longitudinal partitioned to provide separate juxtaposed control chambers 27, 28 which respectively communicate with intermediate chambers 24 through longitudinal ports 29, 31. Ports 32, 33 in longitudinal opposition to ports 29, 31 respectively communicate chambers 27, 28 with an outlet chamber 34 at the opposite end of the body. A supply port 36 communicated with inlet chamber 23 facilitates connection of the valve to a pipe or hose 37 in turn connected to the household water line. Similarly an exhaust port 38 is provided in communication with outlet chamber 34 to facilitate connection of the valve to the household sewer line, as by means of a pipe or hose 39. Control ports 41, 42 communicated with chambers 27, 28 are respectively connected by means of pipes 43, 44 to the ports 18, 19 of cylinder 16. Controlled flow of water between the supply port 36, exhaust port 38 and control ports 41, 42 is facilitated by valve members mounted in the body for controlling flow through the internal ports which interconnect the various chambers in the body. More particularly, a valve member 46 is mounted for reciprocation within inlet chamber 23 to control the flow of water from this chamber to intermediate chamber 24 through port 26. Valve member 46 preferably includes a disc shaped head 47 secured to the end of a stem 48 which extends from the inlet chamber through the body in slidable relation thereto. The exteriorly projecting portion of the stem 48 is pivotally secured to one end of a lever 49 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the body. Pivotal movement of lever 49 effects translation of the valve member 46 between a closed position as depicted in FIGURE 2 and an open position as depicted in FIGURE 3. In the closed position, the valve head 47 sealably engages the port 26 to thus block communication between the supply chamber 23 and intermediate chamber 24, thereby preventing the flow of water to the intermediate chamber. In the open position, the valve head 47 is disengaged from the port 26 and water is thus introduced to the intermediate chamber from the inlet chamber. Pivotal movement of the lever 49 to the foregoing ends is effected by suitable actuating means, preferably a solenoid actuator 51. The actuator is mounted upon the valve body 22 and includes a plunger 52 pivotally secured to the free end of lever 49. The plunger is arranged to be retracted upon energization of the actuator in response to closure of a key actuated switch, radio wave controlled switching circuit, or the like (not shown). In any case, energization of the actuator effects retraction of the plunger to thereby pivot lever 49 in a direction to move the valve member 46 to its open position as depicted in FIGURE 3. Return of the valve member to closed position and extension of the plunger to its normal position are effected by means subsequently described.

Control of the flow of water from the inter-mediate chamber to the control chambers 27, 28 and from the control chambers to the outlet chamber 34 is effected by valve members 53, 54. Valve member 53 includes a stem 56 with disc shaped heads 57, 58 at its opposite ends while valve member 54 similarly includes a stem 59 with disc shaped heads 61, 62 at its opposite ends. Wall structure 63 which defines a rectangular compartment 64 substantially centrally of the body projects into the control chambers 27, 2'8, and the stems of valve members 53, 54 slidably extend therethrough. Valve members 53, 54 are, in this manner, respectively mounted for reciprocation within chambers 27, 28 in alignment with ports 29, 32 and ports 31, 33. The valve members are always oppositely positioned by means subsequently described such that the intermediate chamber 24 is communicated with one control chamber but not the second, while the exhaust chamber 34 is communicated with the second control chamber but not the first. More particularly, in one position of the valve members 53, 54, heads 57, 58 of valve member 53 are respectively disengaged from port 29 and in closed sealing engagement with port 32, while heads 61, 62 of member 54 are respectively in closed sealing engagement with port 31 and disengaged from port 33. In this valve position, which is depicted in FIGURE 2, intermediate chamber 24 is communicated with port 18 of hydraulic cylinder 16 through port 29, control chamber 27, control port 41, and pipe 43. Consequently, upon movement of valve member 26 to its open position in response to energization of actuator 51, water flows from the inlet chamber 23 into the intermediate chamber 24 and then through the flow path noted hereinbefore to the port 18 of the hydraulic cylinder. At the same time, port 19 of the hydraulic cylinder is communicated with the hose 39 to the sewer line through pipe 44, control port 42, control chamber 28, port 33, outlet chamber 34, and exhaust port 38. The piston rod 17 is thus hydraulically retracted to thereby pivot the door 12 in the opening direction.

In a second position of the valve members 53, 54, heads 57, 58 of valve member 53 are respectively in closed sealing engagement with port 29 and disengaged from port 32, while heads 61, 62 of member 54 are respectively disengaged from port 31 and in closed sealing engagement with port 33. This valve osition is depicted in FIGURE 3, and it will be appreciated that the flow paths through the valve to and from the hydraulic cylinder ports are now reversed. Cylinder port 18 is communicated with the hose 39 to the sewer line while cylinder port 19 is communicated with the intermediate chamber 24. Consequently, in response to energization of actuator 51 to thereby establish flow of water from inlet chamber 23 to intermediate chamber 24, the flow of water through the valve is such as to effect extension of the piston rod 17. As a result, the door 12 is pivoted in the closing direction.

In accordance with a particularly important feature of the present invention, the valve members 53, 54 are automatically moved to their first positions at the end of a door closing, or extension stroke of piston rod 17, and to their second positions at the end of a door opening, or retraction stroke of the piston rod. As a result, the valve is conditioned to effect a door opening stroke of the piston rod 17 when the door is closed, and a door closing stroke when the door is open. Yet the actuator 51 operates the same way each time it is energized. This is highly advantageous inasmuch as no selectivity of control is required of the actuating means and same may accordingly be extremely simple. For example, the solenoid actuator 51 need only retract its plunger 52 to effect the appropriate stroke of the piston rod 17, whether it be a door opening or closing stroke.

Considering now preferred means for moving the valve members 53, 54 in the above manner, same includes a butterfly member 66 mounted for rotation within compartment 64. The butterfly member comprises diametrically opposed forks 67, 65 integrally projecting from a shaft 69 which is journalled in opposite sides of the wall structure 63 and extends transversely between the stems 56, 59. Forks 67, 68 respectively engage the stems 56, 59 between pairs of longitudinally spaced collars 71, 72 centrally secured thereto. It will be appreciated that pivotal movement of the butterfly member thus effects movement of the valve members 53, 54 in mutually opposite directions between the two extremes respectively shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 which correspond to the first and second positions of the valve members described hereinbefore. Such pivotal movement of the butterfly member is appropriately controlled in accordance with the position of the door actuating piston rod 17 by suitable reset means. The reset means are arranged to pivot the butterfly member clockwise to the position depicted in FIGURE 2 (first position of valve members 53, 54) as piston rod 17 completes an extension or door closing stroke. In addition the reset means are arranged to pivot the butterfly member counterclockwise to the position depicted in FIGURE 3 (second position of valve members 53, 54) as piston rod 17 completes a retraction or door opening stroke. To the foregoing ends the reset means preferably includes a crank 73 parallel to the butterfly member and rigidly secured to an end of shaft 69 which extends externally of the valve body 22. An actuating crank 74 is rotatably secured to the end of shaft 69, and a spring 76 is secured between the cranks 73, 74. The cranks and interconnecting spring comprise a dead center pivoting arrangement wherein movement of the actuating crank 74 in either direction beyond a dead center position of opposed alignment with crank 73 effects rapid spring loaded movement of the latter crank towards the former. In response to clockwise movement of crank 74 to the position shown in FIGURE 3, crank 73 rapidly pivots counterclockwise to similarly rotate the shaft 69 and butterfly member 66 and thereby effect movement of valve members 53, 54 to their second positions. Counterclockwise movement of the crank 74 to the position shown in FIGURE 2 produces rapid clockwise movement of crank 73, and shaft 69 and butterfly member 66, to thereby etfect movement of valve members 53, 54 to their first positions.

Clockwise movement of crank 74 is effected by means of an actuating rod 77 pivotally connected to the crank and slidable in a longitudinal slot 78 thereof. The rod is mounted for translation parallel to the cylinder 16 with the free end of the rod projecting somewhat beyond the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod 17 extends. A detent or arm 79 projecting laterally from the piston rod 17 adjacent its free end is then engageable with the free end of the actuating rod 77 just prior to the time the piston rod completes its door opening retraction stroke. During completion of the retraction stroke the rod 77 is consequently translated by the arm 79 in a direction to pivot the crank 74 clockwise beyond its dead center position. Crank 73 in turn effects movement of the valve members 53, 54 to their second positions in the manner previously described.

counterclockwise movement of crank 74 is preferably effected by means of a ball 81, or equivalent enlarged portion, provided on a retractable cable 82 having its free end secured to the arm 79. More particularly, the cable 82 is wound upon a reel 83 Which is carried by the valve body 22 and is spring loaded to effect rotation in the cable winding direction. The cable traverses an eye 84 provided on actuating crank 74 in extending from the reel to the arm 79. During a door opening retraction stroke of piston rod 17, the cable is wound upon the reel 83 by virtue of the spring loading thereof. However, during a door closing extension stroke of the piston rod, the cable is unwound from the reel. The ball 81 is so positioned on the cable that just prior to the time the piston rod completes its extension stroke, the ball engages the eye 84. The ball is larger than the eye and hence during completion of the extension stroke the actuating crank 74 is pivoted counterclockwise beyond its dead center position. Crank 73 consequently effects movement of the valve members 53, 54 to their first positions in the manner previously described.

Considering now preferred means for closing valve member 46 and resetting actuator 51 after each opening or closing stroke of piston rod 17, same will be seen to include an actuating rod 86 which is coupled to valve member 46 and engageable with the arm 79 just prior to completion of an opening stroke of the piston rod to effect valve closure. More particularly, actuating rod 86 is slidable within a sleeve 87 which projects longitudinally from the free end of the stem 48 of valve member 46. Rod 86 is mounted for longitudinal translation parallel to the cylinder 16. The free end of the rod extends beyond the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod 17 extends to a position short of the free end of the actuating rod 77. A spring 88 is carried concentrically about the rod 86 and acts between the sleeve 87 and a collar 89 fixedly secured to the rod. Thus, as the piston rod 17 nears the end of a door opening retraction stroke, the arm 79 engages the free end of the actuating rod 86. During completion of the retraction stroke the rod is urged into the sleeve 87 against the loading of spring 88, and movement of the valve member 46 in a closing direction is thereby initiated. The spring is compressed, and since rod movement is prevented by the abutting arm 79 the spring force in acting upon the sleeve 87 effects further movement of the valve member 46 independently of the rod to closed position. The plunger 52 of actuator 51 is simultaneously extended by the action of lever arm 49.

To provide for movement of the valve member 46 to closed position at the end of a door opening extension stroke of piston rod 17, one end of a centrally pivoted lever 91 is pivotally secured to the fixed collar 89 of rod 86. An eye 92 provided at the free end of the lever 91 is traversed by the cable 82. A second ball 93, or equivalent enlarged portion, provided on the cable i larger than the eye 92 and engages same just prior to completion of an extension stroke of the piston rod 17. As the stroke is completed the cable pulls the lever 91 in a clockwise direction to in turn effect translation of the actuating rod 86 in a direction productive of movement of the valve member 46 to closed position in the manner previously described. Ball 93 is smaller than ball 81 such that the former passes freely through the eye 84 of crank 74 when the cable is retracted during a retraction stroke of the piston rod 17.

Considering now the overall operation of the garage door actuating mechanism, with the door 12 closed, the mechanism is in the condition shown in FIGURE 2. Valve member 46 closes port 26 to prevent water flow through the valve 21 to the hydraulic cylinder 16. Valve members 53, 54 are in their first positions to provide flow paths through the valve from intermediate chamber 24 to cylinder port 18 and from cylinder port 19 to the outlet hose 39 to the sewer line. Upon energization of the actuator 51 in response to turning of a key or the like, the plunger 52 is retracted to thereby translate valve member 46 to its open position through the intermediary of lever 49. Flow of water to chamber 24 from inlet chamber 23 is thus established, and therefore water flows to the cylinder port 18. The piston rod 17 is consequently retracted, water in the opposite end of the cylinder being exhausted from port 19, through the valve, to the sewer line. The piston rod pivots the door 12 open, and as the rod nears completion of its retraction stroke, arm 79 engages actuating rod 77. During the remainder of the retraction stroke the rod 77 is translated by arm 79 to pivot actuating crank 74 clockwise. At substantially the same time crank 74 reaches its dead center position, arm 79 engages actuating rod 86. Further movement of the piston rod to its fully retracted position translates rod 86 to effect closure of valve member 46 and translates rod 77 sufficiently far to pivot crank 74 beyond dead center. Flow of water through the valve is hence terminated and crank 73 is actuated to effect movement of valve members 53, 54 to their second positions, as depicted in FIG- URE 3. The piston rod 17 is at this time fully retracted and the door is open. Simultaneously with closure of valve member 46, the actuator 51 is reset, plunger 52 being extended by the action of lever 49.

When actuator 51 is next energized, plunger 52 is retracted and valve member 46 is in turn moved to its open position. Water is accordingly introduced to intermediate chamber 24 from inlet chamber 23. Inasmuch as valve members 53, 54 are now in their second positions, flow of Water is established through the valve to cylinder port 19 and from cylinder port 18 to the sewer line. Such reversed flow effects extension of piston rod 17 and the door is thereby pivoted downwardly to closed position. As the piston rod undergoes its extension stroke, the cable 82 is progressively unwound from the reel 83. As the piston rod nears the end of its extension stroke the balls 81, 93 move into engagement with the eyes 84 and 92. During completion of the extension stroke actuating crank 74 is hence pivoted counterclockwise beyond its dead center position and lever 93 is pivoted clockwise. Crank 73 is thus actuated to effect reversal of valve members 53, 54 to their first position while valve member 46 is moved to its closed position and actuator 51 is reset. Flow of water through the valve is thereby terminated and the door closing stroke of the piston rod is completed, While the actuator 51 and valve are in condition to initiate another door opening cycle of the type previously described upon the next energizaton of the actuator. v

It is of importance to note that in the event the door closes upon a person or other object, the closing cycle is automatically interrupted and the door closing force is reduced to a negligible valve. More particularly by virtue of the heads of valve members 53, 54 being of fiat disc shaped configuration, the seals efiected by these heads upon seating are somewhat leaky. Accordingly, when closing of the door is interrupted by the door encountering an object, the back pressure which is built up in the control chambers 27, 28 is by-passed through the leaky seals effected by the valve heads and is not effective in effecting continued movement of the piston rod 17.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6 the door actuating mechanism will be seen to be provided with a modified form of valve actuator and reset means for selectively operating the valve 21 between actuated and unactuated positions and automatically setting the valve in its first and second positions respectively in response to the completion of door closing and opening strokes of the piston rod 17. More particularly, as in the case of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the modified actuator and reset means are arranged to effect movement of valve member 46 to open position (actuated valve position) in response to energization of the solenoid actuator 51. Upon completion of a door closing extension or door opening retraction stroke of the piston rod 17 (depending upon which of the first and second positions the valve is in), the valve member 46 is moved to its closed position (unactuated valve position) and the actuator 51 is reset. At the end of a door closing extension stroke of the piston rod, the valve members 57, 58 and 61, 62 are likewise reset to their first positions wherein flow paths are established to effect a door opening retraction stroke of the piston rod upon the next energization of actuator 51. Conversely, at the end of a door opening retraction stroke of the piston rod, the positions of valve members 57, 58 and 61, 62 are reversed (second position of the valve) to thereby provide flow paths effective to produce a door opening extension stroke of the piston rod in response to the next energization of actuator 51.

To the foregoing ends, the modified actuator and reset means includes an actuating rod 94 which extends co- .axially of the cylinder 16 and slida-bly through the end thereof adjacent port 19. In addition, the piston rod 17 is of tubular form, at least in an internal end portion thereof equal to the length of the cylinder, and the rod 94 slidably extends through the piston 17' and through the piston rod bore 96. An adjustable stop collar 97, for example a nut or the like, is adjustably secured to the end of rod 94 disposed Within the bore 96. Similarly, an adjustable stop collar 98 is adjustably secured to the rod 94 at a position thereof on the opposite side of piston 17' from that secured to piston rod 17. The collar 97 is appropriately longitudinally positioned on rod 94 such that just prior to the completion of an extension stroke of piston rod 17 and piston 17, the collar is engaged by the piston and the rod 94 is thereby urged in the extension direction (to the left as viewed in FIGURE 5) during completion of the stroke. The collar 98 is similarly longitudinally positioned on rod 94 such that 'just prior to the completion of a retractive stroke, the collar is engaged by the piston and the rod 94 is thereby urged in the retraction direction (to the right as viewed in FIGURE 5) during completion of the stroke. Such left and right movements of the actuating rod 94 near the ends of the door closing and opening strokes of the piston rod 17 are herein employed to good advantage to control the deactuation and reset operations of the valve 21.

Considering now more particularly the means for controlling valve operations in response to movement of the actuating rod 94, it is to be noted that a link arm 99 is secured to the end of rod 94 which projects from cylinder '16. Such link arm is coupled to the valve actuating crank 74 as indicated at 101. It will be appreciated that when the piston rod is completing a door closing extension stroke, the rod 94 and arm 99 are moved to the left to thereby pivot the crank 74 counterclockwise. As noted previously, such counterclockwise rotation of crank 74 effects movement of the valve members 53, 54 to their first positions wherein flow conditions are established to effect a door opening retraction stroke of the piston rod. Conversely, as the piston rod is completing a door opening retraction stroke the rod 94 and arm 99 are moved to the right to thereby pivot the crank 74 clockwise. Clockwise movement of the crank 74 effects movement of valve members 5 3, 54 to their second positions wherein flow conditions are established to effect a door closing extension stroke of the piston rod.

Resetting of the actuator 51 to deactuated position and of valve member 46 to closed position is effected in the instant embodiment by means of linkage 102 which is coupled to the crank 73 and is translatable in response to pivotal movement thereof. More particularly, linkage 102 is moved to the right in response to counter-clockwise movement of crank 73, and to the left in response to clockwise movement of this crank. Crank 73 pivots in response to pivotal movement of crank 74 in the opposite direction to that of crank 74 but the position of crank 73 is essentially opposed to crank 74. Consequently .in the end result, linkage 102 moves with actuator rod 94, in the same direction. As in the previous embodiment, the opposite ends of lever 49 are connected to the stem 48 of valve member 46 and to the plunger 52 of actuator 51. A loading spring 103 normally urges the stem 48 in a direction to move valve member 46 to its closed position and thereby pivot lever 49 clockwise. Clockwise movement of lever 49 moves the actuator plunger to its extended deactuated position. When the actuator 51 is energized, the plunger 52 is retracted to thereby pivot the lever 49 counter-clockwise to actuated position and move valve member 46 to its open position. In the instant embodiment the lever is held in its actuated position by means of a latch 104. The latch is pivoted at one end, as indicated at 106, to a bracket 107 which depends from the valve body 22 and is resiliently retained in a generally horizontal position as by means of a spring 108. The free end of the latch is provided with an inclined camming surface 109 which terminates in a notch 11 1. A lateral offset 112 of the lever 49 normally engages the camming surface 109 and upon counterclockwise movement of the lever rides upwardly along the camming surface to thereby urge the latch downward against the loading of spring 108. When the lever 49 approaches its actuated position the offset rides over the end of the camming surface whereupon the latch pivots upwardly, by virtue of its spring loading, to thereby engage the offset in the notch 111. This retains the lever in its actuated position, and therefore the valve member 46 in its open position, subsequent to de-energization of the actuator 51. To facilitate release of the latch, a cam 113, or equivalent means, is mounted upon the bracket 10'] and arranged to pivot the latch downwardly in response to movement of the linkage 1102 in either direction. In this regard, the cam is preferably of diamond configuration and provided with a stern 114 projecting from the opposite end thereof from a point 115. The point 115 engages the upper rounded edge 116 of a laterally projeoting lug 117 of the latch 104. In response to pivotal movement of the cam in either direction, the point rides over the rounded edge of the lug, and in so doing pivots the latch momentarily downward. The offset 112 is thus disengaged from the notch L11 to thereby release lever 49 for spring loaded return to its unactuated position wherein the valve member 46 is closed and the actuator plunger 52 is extended. Of course subsequent to the point of the cam pivoting the latch downward, the point is disposed on the opposite side of the lug from that on which it was disposed prior to pivoting of the cam. When the point is on the left side of the lug, counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the cam effects actuation of the latch whereupon the point is on the right side of the lug and the latch is returned to its normal horizontal position by spring 108. Conversely, when the point is on the right hand side of the lug, clockwise pivotal movement of the cam effects actuation of the latch and the point is thereafter disposed on the left side of the lug.

To facilitate pivotal movement of the cam 113 in the foregoing manner in response to movement of the linkage 102, such linkage is provided with longitudinally spaced laterally projecting pins 118, 119, or equivalent means, on opposite sides of cam stem 114. The pins are engageable with the stem just prior to completion of translation of the linkage to thereby pivot the cam and effect actuation of the latch during completion of linkage translation. More particularly, assume the point 115 of the cam to be disposed to the right of lug 117 and the lever 49 to be retained in actuated position by the latch 104. As the piston rod 17 approaches the end of a door opening retraction stroke the actuating rod 94- moves to the right to pivot crank 74 clockwise and thus establish the proper flow conditions through valve 21 for the accomplishment of a subsequent door closing extension stroke of the piston rod. The clockwise rotation of crank 74 effects counter-clockwise rotation of crank 73 and therefore translation of linkage 102 to the right. Pin 118 thus engages the left side of cam stem 114. As a result the cam is pivoted clockwise to thus move the point 115 over the lug 117 to the left side thereof, momentarily pivoting the latch 104 downwardly to its actuated release position. The offset 112 is hence disengaged from the notch 111 and the lever 49 is returned to its unactuated position wherein valve member 46- is in its closed position and actuator 51 is reset.

With the lever 49 latched in response to the next energization of the actuator 51, movement of linkage 102 to the left is initiated near completion of the door closing stroke of the piston rod 17. The crank 74 at this time is rotated counterclockwise by the arm- 99' coupled to actuator rod 94 and crank 73 is rotated clockwise to establish flow conditions in valve 21 conducive to effecting a door opening stroke of the piston rod. Pin 119 engages the right side of cam stern 114 to thus pivot cam 113 counter-clockwise. As a result the point 115 is moved over the lug 117 from the left to the right side thereof and the latch is momentarily pivoted downward. Accordingly, the lever 49 is again released for return to its unactuated position.

What is claimed is:

1. Door actuating apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder inciuding a hydraulically movable piston rod extending from an end thereof, said rod extendable from said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to one end and exhaust of fluid from the second end of said cylinder, said rod retractable into said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to the second end and exhaust of fluid from the first end of said cylinder, said piston rod adapted for connection to a pivoted door to open or close same in response to movement of the piston rod, a valve body having an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, a pair of separate control chambers, and an outlet chamber, said body having a first internal port communicating said inlet and intermediate chambers, said body having second and third internal ports respectively communicating said intermediate chamber with the first and second control chambers, said body having fourth and fifth internal ports respectively opposed to said second and third ports and communicating said first and second control chambers with said outlet chamber, said body having a supply port communicated with said inlet chamber and an exhaust port communicated with said outlet chamber, said body having first and second control ports communicated with said first and second control chambers and communicably connected to the opposite ends of said cylinder, means for connecting said supply port to a household water line, means for connecting said exhaust port to a household sewer line, a first valve member movable between first and second positions respectively in closed sealing engagement with said first internal port and disengaged therefrom, a seconnd valve member movable between a first position in closed sealing engagement with said second internal port and disengaged from said fourth internal port and a second position in closedsealing engagement with said fourth internal port and disengaged from said second internal port, a third valve member movable between a first position in closed sealing engagement with said fifth internal port and disengaged from said third internal port and a second position in closed sealing engagement with said third internal port and disengaged from said fifth internal port, means for simul- 'taneously moving said second and third valve members between said first and second positions thereof in response to completion of movement of said piston rod between its fully extended and retracted positions, actuator means coupled to said first valve member for moving same from said first to said second position thereof in response to energization of the actuator means to thereby open said first internal port between said inlet and intermediate chambers, and means for automatically moving said first valve member from said second to said first position thereof in closed sealing engagement with said first internal port in response to disposition of said piston rod in either of its fully extended or retracted positions.

2. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said first, second, and third valve members having disc shaped heads for engaging said internal ports and permitting a small degree of leakage therebetween.

3. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said means for moving said second and third valve members including a shaft mounted for rotation in said body and coupled to said second and third valve members to move same from the first to the second positions thereof in response to rotation of the shaft in one direction and from the second to the first positions thereof in response to rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, crank means including an actuating crank coupled to said shaft for effecting rotation thereof in opposite directions in response to pivotal movement of said crank in opposite directions, and actuating linkage means operatively associated with said crank and said piston rod for pivoting the former in opposite directions respectively in response to completion of extension and retraction of the latter, said actuating means including an actuating rod connected to said crank and mounted for translation parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said actuating rod projecting beyond the end of said cylinder from which said piston rod extends, a detent projecting transversely from said piston rod and engageable with said actuating rod just prior to completion of a retractive stroke of said piston rod to thereby translate said actuating rod and pivot said crank in a first direction during completion of said retractive stroke, a spring loaded reel mounted for rotation adjacent said body and having a cable Wound thereon, said cable having its free end secured to said detent with said cable being pulled against the spring loading of said reel during an extension stroke of said piston rod, and means carried by said cable engageable with said crank just prior to completion of an extension stroke of said piston rod to thereby pivot said crank in a second direction thereof during completion of said extension stroke.

4. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 1, further defined by said means for moving said first valve member comprising actuating linkage means operatively associated with said first valve member and said piston rod for translating the former to said first position thereof in response to completion of extension of the latter and in response to completion of retraction of the latter.

5. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 4, further defined by said actuating linkage means comprising an actuator rod secured to said first valve member and mounted for translation parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said actuating rod projecting beyond the end of said cylinder from which said piston rod extends, a detent projecting transversely from said piston rod and engageable with said actuating rod just prior to completion of a retractive stroke of said piston rod to translate said actuating rod and move said first valve member to said first posit-ion thereof during completion of said retractive stroke, a spring loaded reel mounted for rotation adjacent said body and having a cable wound thereon, said cable having its free end secured to said detent with said cable being pulled against the spring loading of said reel during an extension stroke of said piston rod, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having one end secured to said actuating rod, and means carried by said cable engageable 1 l with the other end of said lever just prior to completion of an extension stroke of said piston rod to thereby pivot said lever during completion of said extension stroke in a direction to translate said actuating rod and move first valve member to said first position thereof.

6. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 5, further defined by a sleeve secured to said first valve member with said actuating rod being slidable in the sleeve, a collar fixedly secured to said actuating rod, and a spring concentrically disposed upon said actuating rod and hearing at its opposite ends against said collar and said sleeve.

7. Door actuating apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a hydraulically movable piston rod extending from an end thereof, said rod extendable from said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to one end and exhaust of fluid from the second end of said cylinder, said rod retractable into said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to the second end and exhaust of fluid from the first end of said cylinder, said piston rod adapted for connection to a pivoted door to open or close same in response to movement of the piston rod, a valve body secured to said cylinder, said body having an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, first and second control chambers, and an outlet chamber, said body having a first internal port communicating said inlet and intermediate chambers, said body having second and third internal ports respectively communicating said intermediate chamber with the first and second control chambers, said body having fourth and fifth internal ports respectively opposed to said second and third ports and communicating said first and second control cham bers with said outlet chamber, said body having a supply port communicated with said inlet chamber and an exhaust port communicated with said outlet chamber, said body having first and second control ports communicated with said first and second control chambers and communicably connected to the first and second ends of said cylinder, means for connecting said supply port to a household water line, means for connecting said exhaust port to a household sewer line, a first valve member including a stem mounted for translation in said inlet chamber and having a head at one end thereof engageable with said first internal port, the other end of said stem projecting from said body, said first valve member translatable between a first position wherein said head closingly engages said first internal port and a second position wherein said head is disengaged from said first internal port, a second valve member including a stem with heads at its opposite ends, said second valve member mounted in said first control chamber in alignment with said second and fourth internal ports, said second valve member translatable between a first position wherein one head thereof closingly engages said second internal port while the second head thereof is disengaged from said fourth internal port and a second position wherein the first head thereof is disengaged from said second internal port while the second head thereof closingly engages said fourth internal port, a third valve member including a stem with heads at its opposite ends, said third valve member mounted in said second control chamber in parallel relation to said second valve member and in alignment with said third and fifth internal ports, said third valve member translatable between a first position wherein one head thereof closingly engages said fifth internal port while the second head thereof is disengaged from said third internal port and a second position wherein the first head thereof is disengaged from said third internal port while the second head thereof closingly engages said fifth internal port, a shaft mounted for rotation in said body extending transversely between the stems of said second and third valve members, diametrically opposed forks projecting from said shaft and engaging the stems of said second and third valve members to translate same in mutually opposite directions in response to shaft rotation, said second and third valve members being translated to their first positions in re- 12 sponse to rotation of said shaft in a first direction and translated to their second positions in response to rotation of said shaft in a second opposite direction, crank actuating means including an actuating crank coupled to said shaft to rotate same in said first and second directions of rotation in response to pivotal movement of said crank in corresponding first and second rotational directions, an actuating rod secured to said actuating crank mounted for translation parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said actuating rod projecting beyond the end of said cylinder from which said piston rod extends, an actuator secured to said body including a plunger movable from a first to a second position in response to energization of said actuator, a linkage connecting the plunger of said actuator to the externally projecting end of the stem of said first valve member to translate same to said second position thereof in response to movement of the plunger to its second position, a second actuating rod secured to the projecting end of the stern of said first valve member mounted for translation parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said second actuating rod projecting beyond the end of said cylinder from which said piston rod extends to a position short of the end of said first actuating rod, a detent projecting transversely from said piston rod adjacent the free end thereof, said detent engageable with said first and second actuating rods in succession just prior to completion of a retraction stroke of the piston rod, said detent translating said actuating rods during completion of said retraction stroke to thereby pivot said actuating crank in said first rotary direction thereof and translate said first valve member to said first position thereof, a

spring loaded reel mounted for rotation adjacent said cylinder and body and having a cable wound thereon, said cable having its free end secured to said detent and being pulled against the spring loading of said reel during an extension stroke of said piston rod, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having one end secured to said second actuating rod, an eye secured to the second end of said lever, a second eye secured to said actuating crank, said second eye larger than said first eye, and first and second balls carried by said cable and respectively engageable with said first and second eyes first prior to completion of an extension stroke of said piston rod to thereby pivot said lever in a direction to translate said second actuating rod and said first valve member to said first position thereof and to pivot said actuating crank in said second rotary direction thereof during completion of said extension stroke, said first ball being smaller than said second eye.

8. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 7, further defined by said crank actuating means including a second crank rigidly secured to said shaft, said actuating crank being rotatably mounted on said shaft, and a spring having its opposite ends connected to said actuating crank and said second crank.

9. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 8, further defined by a sleeve secured to the projecting end of the stem of said first valve member, said second actuating rod being slidable in said sleeve, a collar fixedly secured to said second actuating rod, and a second spring concentrically disposed upon said second actuating rod and bearing at its opposite ends against said collar and said sleeve.

10. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 9, further defined by the heads of said first, second, and third valve members being of circular disc shaped configuration.

11. Door actuating apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a piston slidable in the cylinder and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from an end of the cylinder, said rod extendable from said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to one end and exhaust of fluid from the second end of said cylinder, said rod retractable into said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to the second end and exhaust of fluid from the first end of said cylinder, said piston rod adapted for connection to a pivoted door to open or close same in response to movement of the piston rod, said piston rod having a bore extending into the end thereof connected to said piston, an actuating rod disposed coaxially of said cylinder, said actuating rod slidably extending through said piston into said bore of said piston rod and slidably extending through the opposite end of said cylinder to that from which said piston rod extends, stop means carried by said actuating rod at a position within said piston rod bore and engageable with said piston prior to the completion of an extension stroke of said piston rod, second stop means carried by said actuating rod ata position on the opposite side of said piston from s'aidfirst stop means and engageable with said piston prior to the completion of a retraction stroke of said piston rod, said actuating rod being thereby moved in the extension and retraction directions of said piston rod just prior to the completion of extension and retraction strokes thereof, four way valve means including a pair of control ports respectively communicably connected to the first and second ends of said cylinder and supply and exhaust ports, said valve means having a first position communicating said supply port with one of said control ports and said exhaust port with the second control port, said valve means having a second position communicating said supply port with the second control port and said exhaust port with the first control port, said valve means having actuated and unactuated, positions wherein flow between said supply port and control ports is respectively established and disrupted, means for connecting said supply port to a household water line, means for connecting said exhaust port to a household sewer line, means coupled between said actuating rod and said valve means for shifting the latter between its first and second positions in response to movement of the former in one direction and shifting the latter between its second and first positions in response to movement of the former in the opposite direction, actuator means for operating said valve means to its actuated position, and means coupled between said actuating rod and said valve means for operating the latter to its unactuated position in response to movement of the former in either direction.

12. Door actuating apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a piston slidable in the cylinder and a piston rod secured to the piston and extending from an end of the cylinder, said rod extendablefrom said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to one end and exhaust of fluid from the second end of said cylinder, said rod retractable into said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to the second end and exhaust of fluid from the first end of said cylinder, said piston rod adapted for connection to a pivoted door to open or close same in response to movement of the piston rod, said piston rod having a bore extending into the end thereof connected to said piston, an actuating rod disposed coaxially of said cylinder, said actuating rod slidably extending through said piston into said bore of said piston rod and slidably extending through the opposite end of said cylinder to that from which said piston rod extends, stop means carried by said actuating rod at a position within said piston rod bore and engagable with said piston prior to the completion of an extension stroke of said piston rod, second stop means carried by said actuating rod at a position on the opposite side of said piston from said first stop means and engagable with said piston prior to the completion of a retraction stroke of said piston rod, said actuating rod lbeing thereby moved in the extension and retraction directions of said piston rod just prior to the completion of extension and retraction strokes thereof, a valve body having an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, a pair of separate control chambers, and an outlet chamber, said body having a first internal port communicating said inlet and intermediate chambers, said body having second and third internal ports respectively communicating said intermediate chamber with the first and second control chambers, said body having fourth and fifth internal ports respectively opposed to said second and third ports and communicating said first and second control chambers with said outlet chamber, said body having a supply port communicated with said inlet chamber and an exhaust port communicated with said outlet chamber, said body having first and second control ports communicated with said first and second control chambers and communicably connected to the opposite ends of said cylinder, means for connecting said supplyport to a household water line, means for connecting said exhaust port to a household sewer line, a first valve member movable between first and second positions respectively in closed sealing engagement with said first internal port and disengaged therefrom, a second valve member movable between a first position in closed sealing engagement with said second internal port and disengaged from said fourth internal port and a second position in closed sealing engagement with said fourth internal port and disengaged from said second internal port, a third valve member movable between a first position in closed sealing engagement with said fifth internal port and disengaged from said third internal port and a second position in closed sealing engagement with said third internal port and disengage-d from said fifth internal port, crank means coupled to said second and third valve members for moving same from said first to said second positions thereof in response to rotation of the crank means in one direction and from said second to said first positions thereof in response to rotation of the crank means in one direction and from said second to said first positions thereof in response to rotation of the crank means in the opposite direction, a link arm connecting said actuator rod to said crank means to rotate the crank means in one direction in response to movement of the actuator rod in one direction and to rotate the crank means in the opposite direction in response to movement of the actuator rod in the opposite direction, actuator means coupled to said first valve member for moving same from said first to said second position thereof in response to energization of said actuator means, and reset means coupled between said crank means and said [first valve member for moving same to said first position thereof in response to movement of said crank means in either direction.

13. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 12, further defined by said actuator means comprising an actuator including a plunger movable to an actuated position in response to energization of the actuator, and a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, one end of said lever connected to said first valve member and the other end of said lever connected to the actuator plunger, said lever spring loaded to normally urge said first valve member to said first position thereof, said lever pivoted to an actuated position wherein said first valve member is in said second position thereof in response to movement of the plunger to its actuated position, and by said reset means comprising latch means for retentively engaging said lever in its actuated position and movable to a release position wherein said lever is released, cam means for engaging said latch means and urging same to its release position in response to pivotal movement of the cam means, and a linkage connected to said crank means and movable therewith for effecting pivotal movement of the cam means in response to movement of the crank means in either direction.

14. Door actuating apparatus according to claim 13 further defined by said latch means comprising a latch mem' ber pivoted at one end and having an inclined carnming surface at its opposite end terminating in an upwardly facing notch, said latch member spring loaded to a normally horizontal position wherein said inclined camming surface engages a lateral offset of said lever when the lever is in its unactuated position, said offset engaging said notch when the lever is in its actuated position, said offset being released from said notch in response to downward pivotal movement of said latch member, and by said cam means comprising a pivotal cam having a point projecting therefrom and disposed adjacent a lateral lug of said latch member, said cam pivotal in either direction to move the point thereof over said lug from one side to the other side thereof and thereby momentarily pivot said latch downwardly, said cam having a stern projecting therefrom in opposition to said point, said linkage having lateral projections carried at longitudinally spaced positions thereof on opposite sides of the cam stem and respectively engagable therewith upon movement of the linkage in opposite directions to thereby effect pivotal movement of the cam.

15. Door actuating apparatus comprising a hydraulic cylinder including a piston rod extending from an end thereof, said rod extendable from said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to one end and exhaust of fluid from the second end of said cylinder, said rod retractable into said cylinder in response to admission of pressurized fluid to the second end and exhaust of fluid from the first end of said cylinder, said piston rod adapted for connection to a pivoted door to open or close same in response to movement of the piston rod, valve means including a pair of control ports respectively communicably connected to the first and second ends of said cylinder and supply and exhaust ports, said valve means having a first position communicating said supply port with 16 one of said control ports and said exhaust port with the second control port, said valve means having a second position communicating said supply port with the second control port and said exhaust port with the first control port, reset means for operating said valve means between said first and second positions in response to completion of movement of said piston rod between its fully extended and retracted positions, said valve means having actuated and unactuated positions wherein flow between said supply port and control ports is respectively established and disrupted, actuator means for moving said valve from said unactuated position to said actuated position in response to energization of said actuating means, actuating linkage means operatively associated with said valve and said piston rod for moving said valve from said actuated position to said unactuated position in response to completion of extension of said rod and in response to completion of retraction of said rod, and means for connecting said supply port to a supply of pressurized fluid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,321,079 6/1943 Greenwald 268 XR REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

J. K. BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

15. DOOR ACTUATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER INCLUDING A PISTON ROD EXTENDING FROM AN END THEREOF, SAID ROD EXTENDABLE FROM SAID CYLINDER IN RESPONSE TO ADMISSION OF PRESSURIZED FLUID TO ONE END AND EXHAUST OF FLUID FROM THE SECOND END OF SAID CYLINDER, SAID ROD RETRACTABLE INTO SAID CYLINDER IN RESPONSE TO ADMISSION OF PRESSURIZED FLUID TO THE SECOND END AND EXHAUST OF FLUID FROM THE FIRST END OF SAID CYLINDER, SAID PISTON ROD ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO A PIVOTED DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE SAME IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON ROD, VALVE MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF CONTROL PORTS RESPECTIVELY COMMUNICABLY CONNECTED TO THE FIRST AND SECOND ENDS OF SAID CYLINDER AND SUPPLY AND EXHAUST PORTS, SAID VALVE MEANS HAVING A FIRST POSITION COMMUNICATING SAID SUPPLY PORT WITH ONE OF SAID CONTROL PORTS AND SAID EXHAUST PORT WITH THE SECOND CONTROL PORT, SAID VALVE MEANS HAVING A SECOND POSITION COMMUNICATING SAID SUPPLY PORT WITH THE SECOND CONTROL PORT AND SAID EXHAUST PORT WITH THE FIRST CONTROL PORT, RESET MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID VALVE MEANS BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO COMPLETION 